Neovascularization Of The Optic Disc Research Articles

Response to treatment of epiretinal neovascularization secondary to ischemic retinal vein occlusion in proliferative MacTel 2

Purpose: To describe a case of unilateral epiretinal neovascularization (ERN) secondary to an old ischemic retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in a patient with bilateral proliferative macular teleangiectasia type 2 (MacTel 2; Toto stage 4) and its response to treatment as documented by multimodal imaging. Methods: Retrospective case report Results: A 75-year-old woman with a six-year-history of MacTel 2 and the consecutive development of proliferative outer retinal neovascularization in both eyes over time presented with an ERN in addition to neovascularization of the optic disc, delayed filling of the retinal veins, peripheral capillary ischemia and intravitreal hemorrhage only in her left eye in September 2023. She was therefore treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF; aflibercept 2mg) intravitreally. The ERN responded well to a single intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF, while flow in the outer retinal proliferation persisted. Diagnosis and treatment with anti-VEGF were observed via optical coherence tomography angiography. Conclusion: We believe that the ERN formation was a reaction to ischemia of the inner retinal capillary plexus due to a preceding RVO. The herein presented case provides a new perspective on the development and treatment of ERN in MacTel 2.

Relationship Between Neovascularization of the Optic Disc and Diabetic Macular Edema.

Relationship Between Neovascularization of the Optic Disc and Diabetic Macular Edema.

Optical coherence tomography angiography for the detection and evaluation of ptic disc neovascularization: a retrospective, observational study

BackgroundTo assess and characterize neovascularization of the optic disc (NVD) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and different OCTA-based methods.MethodsThis retrospective, observational study included patients who were suspected of having early PDR with no presence of clinically apparent neovascularization (NV) bur were clinically diagnosed with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), or severe NPDR. Patients underwent standard clinical examinations and OCTA imaging using a 6 × 6 montage scan. Two trained graders identified NVD using different imaging systems (ultra-widefield-colour fundus photography (UWF-CFP), OCT, OCTA and fluorescein angiography (FA)). Moreover, morphological classification of NVD was performed. The detection and morphological classification of NVD by different OCTA-based methods (B-scan OCTA, En-face OCTA, VRI Angio and VRI Structure) were compared.ResultsA total of 169 eyes (126 eyes with PDR and 43 eyes with severe NPDR) of 123 participants were included in this study. The detection rate of NVD was 34.91% by UWF-CFP compared with 59.76% by OCT, 59.76% by OCTA, and 62.72% by FA. After excluding 2 cases with epiretinal membranes, the NVD diagnosis detected by OCT was used as the standard. Among 99 eyes diagnosed with NVD by OCT, B-scan OCTA detected NVD with a sensitivity of 97.98%, which was higher than that by en face OCTA (80.81%), VRI Angio (65.66%), and VRI Structure (61.62%) (all P < 0.05). According to its characteristics on OCTA, NVD was divided into four types (12 cases of type I, 6 cases of type II, 39 cases of type III, and 42 cases of type IV). For type I, B-scan OCTA exhibited a higher diagnostic sensitivity than other methods (P < 0.05). For types II and IV, there were no statistically significant differences in the sensitivity of various methods between the two groups (P > 0.05).ConclusionOCTA and different OCTA-based methods are significant to the diagnosis of NVD, and the diagnostic accuracy of different detection methods may be related to different types of NVD.

Application of iris angiography combined with ultra-wide-field fundus fluorescein angiography in diabetic retinopathy

Objective: To explore the application and value of iris angiography combined with ultra-wide-field fundus fluorescein angiography (UWFA) in diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. From May 2016 to December 2019, 60 consecutive DR patients (120 eyes) including 30 patients (60 eyes) with severe non-proliferative DR (NPDR) and proliferative DR (PDR), respectively, who underwent iris angiography combined with UWFA in Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital were enrolled in the study. There were 25 males and 35 females, with an average age of (53.5±10.7) years. All of the patients underwent ophthalmologic examination including visual acuity, intraocular pressure, slit-lamp microscopy, slit-lamp funduscopy, ultra-wide-field fundus photography, and iris angiography combined with UWFA. Iris angiography included iris fluorescein angiography (IFA) and iris indocyanine green angiography. The onset time of the iris vascular fluorescein leakage was recorded, and the circumference range of the pupil margin fluorescein leakage was measured by a self-developed software. Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare and analyze the difference in the onset time and the range of the iris vascular fluorescein leakage between the severe NPDR and PDR groups. Results: IFA showed that the onset time of the iris vascular fluorescein leakage was 31.00 (25.75, 34.00) s and 27.00 (21.75, 29.50) s in the severe NPDR group and the PDR group, respectively. The difference between two groups was statistically significant (Z=-2.13, P=0.033). The range of the iris vascular fluorescein leakage was 20.00(10.75, 75.00)° and 135.00(60.00, 182.50)° in the severe NPDR group and the PDR group, respectively. There was significant difference between two groups (Z=-4.23, P<0.001). Neovascularization of the iris was not found in all patients with PDR by slit-lamp microscope examination, but was found in 8 eyes by IFA and iris indocyanine green angiography. UWFA findings demonstrated that there was no strong fluorescence in retinal neovascularization elsewhere and/or neovascularization of the optic disc in severe NPDR patients. However, that could be seen in all PDR patients. Among them, 10 eyes had terminally petaloid or focal fluorescein leakage in macular area. Conclusions: Iris angiography combined with UWFA and quantitative analysis method could not only accurately assess the degree of fundus lesions, but also obtain more accurate and comprehensive iris vascular information, which provided help for comprehensive and personalized treatment of DR. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2021, 57: 916-921).

Вплив поліморфізмів rs2010963 і rs699947 гена VEGFА на клінічні та лабораторні показники при діабетичній ретинопатії у хворих на цукровий діабет 2-го типу

Актуальність. Ключовим фактором розвитку неоангіогенезу при діабетичній ретинопатії (ДР) за умов цукрового діабету 2-го типу (ЦД-2) є васкуло-ендотеліальний фактор росту (VEGF). На важливу роль генетичних поліморфізмів гена VEGFA вказує низка досліджень і метааналізи, які показали наявність їх асоціації з ДР, особливо з її проліферативним варіантом (ДПР), що варіює у різних популяціях. Мета. З’ясування впливу поліморфних генотипів rs2010963 і rs699947 гена VEGFА на клінічні та лабораторні показники при ДР у хворих на ЦД-2 з української популяції. Матеріали та методи. До дослідження було залучено 302 хворих на ЦД-2 з ДР. Встановлення діагнозу проводилася за Міжнародною клінічною класифікацією, прийнятою Американською академією офтальмології (2003). Контрольну групу становили 98 осіб, які не мали ЦД-2 та ДР, а також інших офтальмологічних захворювань. Всі пацієнти були прооперовані з приводу катаракти. У внутрішньоочній рідині (ВОР), яку збирали під час операції, методом імуноферментного аналізу було визначено вміст VEGFA. Аналіз поліморфних ДНК-локусів гена VEGFA — rs2010963 і rs699947 — здійснювали за методом полімеразної ланцюгової реакції у реальному часі з використанням уніфікованих тест-систем TaqMan Mutation Detection Assays Thermo Fisher Scientific (США). Результати. Аналіз результатів дослідження показав, що поліморфізм rs2010963 мав вплив на рівень у ВОР VEGFA (максимум — при генотипі ризику С/С). Цей поліморфізм був пов’язаний зі статтю (генотип С/С частіше зустрічався у чоловіків, ніж у жінок — 3 : 1), наявністю ДПР (найчастіше була визначена за наявності генотипу С/С: 45,4 %) та неоваскуляризацією диска зорового нерва (найчастіше була визначена за наявності гетерозиготи G/С: 21,4 %). Поліморфізм rs699947 мав вплив на гостроту зору (мінімальна наявна при генотипі С/С), товщину сітківки (максимальний показник — при генотипі С/С), рівень у ВОР VEGFA (максимальний рівень — при генотипі С/С), а також наявність ДПР та гемофтальму (найчастіше були визначені за генотипом С/С, відповідно 44,7 та 27,7 %). Висновки. Патогенетичний вплив генотипу ризику С/С поліморфізму rs2010963 частіше визначався у чоловіків, реалізувався завдяки високому рівню у ВОР VEGFA та проявлявся максимальною частотою ДПР. Патогенетичний вплив генотипу ризику С/С поліморфізму rs699947 також реалізувався завдяки високому рівню у ВОР VEGFA, призводив до зниження гостроти зору, потовщення сітківки та проявлявся максимальною частотою ДПР і гемофтальму.

Occlusive retinal vasculopathy with macular branch retinal artery occlusion as a leading sign of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome \u2013 a case report

BackgroundHemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) is a rare disorder characterized by the triad of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure, considered within the group of thrombocytic microangiopathies. Ocular complications in HUS are very rare. Here, we report an adult patient who suffered from acute onset of paracentral scotoma, caused by branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO), as a leading symptom of atypical HUS.Case presentationA 39-year-old healthy male was lately diagnosed with essential hypertension and mild renal impairment. He complained about acute onset of central scotoma in his left eye. Fundus examination revealed marked narrowing of retinal vessels, cotton wool spots and few retinal hemorrhages in both eyes. The patient was diagnosed with bilateral ischemic retinal vasculopathy and acute macular BRAO in his left eye. Workup revealed thrombocytopenia, worsening renal failure. Renal biopsy showed signs of chronic thrombotic microangiopathy. The patient was diagnosed with atypical HUS (aHUS) and started on plasmapheresis, together with eculizumab. As his condition continued to worsen, he was put on renal replacement therapy. Due to a persistent monoclone of IgG1, the patient underwent bone marrow biopsy which revealed Monoclonal Gammopathy of renal significance, triggering a HUS and treatment was initiated accordingly. Two months after initial presentation, the patient developed neovascularization of the optic disc (NVD) in his left eye, and was treated with 3 monthly intravitreal bevacizumab injections with complete regression of the NVD. The patient suffered from myocardial infarction in the later course and was lost for follow-up. He returned 11 months after the last bevacizumab injection because of sudden loss of vision in his left eye caused by a dense vitreous hemorrhage. Biomicroscopy revealed a new NVD in his right eye. The patient underwent panretinal photocoagulation in both eyes with regression of neovascularization. Vision improved and remained 20/20 in both eyes.ConclusionWe present a case report showing retinal ischemia can be linked with aHUS. As clinal diagnosis might be challenging, physicians should be aware of the rare ocular manifestations of this devastating multi-organ disease. In case of retinal ischemia, panretinal photocoagulation should be initiated soon to avoid blinding complications.

Proliferative retinopathy as a\xa0feature of Vogt Koyanagi Harada Disease: a report of two cases

BackgroundProliferative retinopathy is an uncommon feature of Vogt Koyanagi Harada (VKH) disease which might indicate poor uveitis control in these patients. We aim to describe the clinical features and outcome of management of proliferative retinopathy in 2 patients with VKH.Case Presentation19 and 33 years old females with VKH presented with unilateral proliferative retinopathy. Both patients had neovascularization of the optic disc (NVDs) and one patient had neovascularizations elsewhere (NVEs) and preretinal hemorrhage. Both patients had exudative retinal detachments (ERD). Systemic steroids and immunomodulatory agents were successfully used to control inflammation and achieve regression. One patient developed fibrous tissue formation at the disc area as well as an epiretinal membrane formation, for which she had pars plana vitrectomy with membrane peeling. Both patients had controlled inflammation with stable vision.ConclusionsProliferative retinopathy can present variably in VKH patients and indicates persistent inflammation which is incompletely controlled. Proper uveitis control is sufficient to achieve regression of retinal neovascularization.

New Insights into Diabetic and Vision-Threatening Retinopathy: Importance of Plasma Long Pentraxine 3 and Taurine Levels

ABSTRACT Purpose To investigate diabetic retinopathy (DR), plasma long pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) and taurine levels, and systemic factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Materials and Methods Patients with type 2 DM were categorized based on the presence of DR and maculopathy. Retinal findings (retinopathy, maculopathy, flame-shaped hemorrhage, intraretinal microvascular abnormalities, neovascularization of the optic disc, neovascularization elsewhere, and soft exudate); laboratory findings (fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c], Taurine, PTX-3); systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were analyzed. Results In this study, 39 patients with a mean age of 59.5 ± 8.1 years were included. The mean taurine level was significantly lower (p = .025) and HbA1c values were significantly higher (p = .0001) in patients with and without DR, respectively. In patients with varying severity of DR, a significant difference in the plasma taurine level was found (p = .0001). The mean PTX-3 level decreased with the severity of retinopathy; however, there was no significant difference in levels among the grading groups (p = .732). Taurine and PTX-3 levels were significantly lower in patients with maculopathy (p = .001 and p = .022, respectively) and significantly higher in patients with grade 0 maculopathy than in those with grade 1, 2, or 3 maculopathy (p = .023, p = .01, and p = .01, respectively). Patients with flame-shaped hemorrhage had significantly lower PTX-3 levels (p = .009) and higher SBP and DBP levels (p = .003, p = .023) than those without the hemorrhage. Conclusions No significant relation between PTX-3 level and severity of DR was found. HbA1c, taurine, and PTX-3 levels in patients with vision-threatening DR symptoms were significantly different from those without these symptoms. Management of systemic blood pressure and glycemic control is mandatory in the follow-up of DR, and increasing the plasma taurine levels can prevent vision loss.

Posterior segment inflammatory outcomes assessed using fluorescein angiography in the STOP-UVEITIS study

BackgroundAlthough fluorescein angiography (FA) is a frequently used imaging modality in patients with non-infectious uveitis (NIU), it has not been reliably used for objective assessment of posterior segment inflammatory outcomes in these patients. In this index study we report the posterior segment inflammatory outcomes of two different doses of intravenous (IV) infusions of tocilizumab (TCZ), an IL-6 inhibitor, in eyes with NIU using a semi-quantitative FA scoring system.MethodsSTOP-Uveitis is a randomized, multi-center clinical trial conducted at 5 clinical centers across the United States. The study evaluated the role of TCZ in patients with NIU. Thirty-seven (37) patients with NIU were randomized into one of two treatment groups in a ratio of 1:1. Group 1 received IV infusions of 4 mg/kg TCZ and group 2 received IV infusions of 8 mg/kg TCZ. Infusions were given every 4 weeks in both groups until month 6 (primary endpoint). Posterior segment inflammatory outcomes were assessed by evaluating FA at baseline and month 6 by graders at a central reading center. A previously reported, semi-quantitative, scoring system for FA was used to assess signs that represent ongoing inflammatory processes in the posterior segment. These signs included optic disc hyperfluorescence, macular edema, retinal vascular staining and/or leakage, capillary leakage, retinal capillary nonperfusion, neovascularization of the optic disc, neovascularization elsewhere, pinpoint leaks, and retinal staining and/or subretinal pooling. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Main outcome measures included change in posterior segment inflammation as assessed using FA at month 6.Results37 eyes (37 patients) were randomized in the STOP-Uveitis study. 30 eyes were found to be eligible for this sub-study based on study criteria. Seven eyes had ungradable images at either baseline or month 6 and were therefore excluded from the analysis. The reduction in FA inflammatory scores at month 6 were statistically significant in both groups (p < 0.05). The difference between the two groups was not significant (p = 0.351).ConclusionsIV infusions of tocilizumab (both 4 and 8 mg/kg) are effective in improving posterior segment inflammation in eyes with NIU. A semi-quantitative FA scoring system may be used as a reliable outcome measure for assessment of posterior segment inflammation.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01717170

Distribution of Nonperfusion and Neovascularization on Ultrawide-Field Fluorescein Angiography in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (RECOVERY Study): Report 1

To explore the distribution of nonperfusion area (NPA) on ultrawide-field fluorescein angiography (UWF FA) in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and its relationship with the presence of neovascularization of the optic disc (NVD) and distribution of neovascularization elsewhere (NVE). Prospective, observational case series. Baseline Optos 200Tx UWF FA images of 38 eyes with treatment-naïve early-stage PDR from the RECOVERY (NCT02863354) study were stereographically projected at the Doheny Image Reading Center. Two independent/masked certified graders manually delineated the NPA and the total visible retinal area (TRA). NPA and TRA were then computed in square millimeters using the manufacturer software. Ischemic index (ISI) was calculated by dividing NPA by TRA. NPA and ISI were correlated with the presence and distribution of neovascularization in the corresponding zones. Eyes with NVD appeared to have more severe global NPA than those without (P= .026). Although the ISI appeared to increase with increasing distance from the foveal center (P < .001), NVE was more likely to be located in the posterior pole than the midperiphery or far-periphery (P < .001). Presence of NVE in the posterior polar retina appeared to demonstrate more severe ischemia in the posterior pole and midperiphery than those without (P < .05), but interestingly, was not correlated with the severity of overall global ischemia or of ischemia in the far-periphery alone (P > .05). Whereas the presence of NVD was associated with the severity of global ischemia, the distribution of NVE did not appear to be influenced by the distribution of ischemia.

Retinal Nonperfusion Characteristics on Ultra-Widefield Angiography in Eyes With Severe Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy and Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Threshold of retinal nonperfusion for the development of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is unclear. To identify a threshold of retinal nonperfusion for the presence of retinal neovascularization and the distribution and area of retinal nonperfusion in eyes with severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), PDR, neovascularization of the optic disc (NVD), and retinal neovascularization elsewhere (NVE). This cross-sectional image analysis study was performed between September 24, 2018, and October 24, 2018, at a multicenter national study in the United Kingdom. Baseline images were obtained from 2 completed randomized clinical trials (Ranibizumab for Diabetic Macular Edema Panretinal Photocoagulation [RDP] study and Clinical Efficacy of Intravitreal Aflibercept vs Panretinal Photocoagulation for Best Corrected Visual Acuity in Patients With Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy at 52 Weeks [CLARITY] study). The RDP study recruited eyes with severe NPDR between April 1, 2014, and December 31, 2015, and the CLARITY study recruited eyes with PDR between August 22, 2014, and November 20, 2015. Ultra-widefield angiography images of eyes with no prior panretinal photocoagulation treatment were included. The total area of retinal nonperfusion, the area of posterior pole retinal nonperfusion, and the area of peripheral retinal nonperfusion were measured. A total of 92 patients (92 eyes) were included in the study: 59 in the PDR group (mean [SD] age, 42 [15] years; 20 female [33.9%]) and 33 in the NPDR group (mean [SD] age, 63 [10] years; 3 female [9.1%]). Forty eyes had NVE and 19 had NVD with or without NVE. We identified a retinal nonperfusion threshold of 118.3 disc areas (DA) with a specificity of 84.9% (95% CI, 68.1% to 94.9%) for PDR. The median area of retinal nonperfusion was 67.8 DA (95% CI, 44.2 to 107.3 DA) in the NPDR eyes and 147.9 DA (95% CI, 127.4 to 173.5 DA) for eyes with proliferative changes, with a difference of 69.0 DA (95% CI, 42.2 to 97.7 DA; P < .001). No difference was found in the median area of posterior nonperfusion between NPDR and PDR, with a difference of 0 DA (95% CI, -6.7 to 5.2 DA; P = .56). As for peripheral nonperfusion, NPDR eyes measured 64.1 DA and PDR eyes measured 130.6 DA, with a difference of 70.8 DA (95% CI, 48.4 to 94.9 DA; P < .001). Eyes with NVD had the largest total area of retinal nonperfusion, with a difference of 65.1 DA (95% CI, 28.6 to 95.8 DA; P < .001) compared with eyes with only NVE. These findings suggest eyes with at least 107.3 DA of nonperfusion are at risk of proliferative disease, and eyes with NVD have the largest area of retinal nonperfusion.

Pediatric Eales Disease: An Indian Tertiary Eye Center Experience.

To report the clinical profiles, etiologies, treatment modalities, and outcomes for Eales disease in patients younger than age 16 years in India. Retrospective review of medical records of patients with Eales disease who had a minimum 5-year follow-up period. A total of 25 eyes of 13 patients were included. Of these 13 patients, 12 (94%) had bilateral Eales disease and 11 (84.6%) were men. Mean patient age was 14.1 years (range: 11 to 16 years). Diminution of vision (36%) was the most common presenting complaint, followed by both diminutions of vision and floaters (32%). Sclerosed vessels were seen in all eyes, and 21 (84%) eyes had active periphlebitis at presentation. Neovascularization elsewhere was seen in 20 (80%) eyes and neovascularization of the optic disc was seen in 1 (4%) eye. Veno-venous shunts were found in 12 (48%) eyes, and 18 (72%) eyes had vitreous hemorrhage. All eyes received photocoagulation; 84.6% of patients received oral steroids, with 7.7% of patients treated with azathioprine and 38.4% treated with anti-tubercular therapy. Vitrectomy was performed in 36% of eyes for non-clearing vitreous hemorrhage and tractional retinal detachment. Vision improved in 7 (28%) eyes, was stable in 12 (48%) eyes, and worsened in 6 (24%) eyes. Recurrence of the disease more than five times during the 5-year follow-up period occurred in 20% of patients. Recurrent vasculitis and vitreous hemorrhage in children should raise the suspicion of pediatric Eales disease. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2018;55(4):270-274.].

Biologic Treatment Options for Retinal Neovascularization in Behçet’s Disease

ABSTRACTPurpose: Relapsing ocular inflammation occurs in about 70% of patients with Behçet’s disease (BD) and can lead to permanent loss of vision. Neovascularization of the optic disc (NVD) or elsewhere in the retina (NVE) is a relatively uncommon but severe complication that lacks standardized treatment.Methods: We report on the therapeutic use of anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies for BD-associated NVD and NVE in one pediatric patient (subcutaneous adalimumab) and one young man (intravenous infliximab). Also, we review the previously published experience on biologic therapeutic options, namely anti-TNF agents and interferon-alpha in a total of three and eight patients, respectively.Results: A fast-onset therapeutic effect was observed in both patients leading to complete regression of neovascularizations.Conclusions: Both options may lead to regression of neovascularization, thus preventing loss of vision, but comparative studies need to determine the optimal treatment for this sight-threatening complication of BD.

Ocular neovascularization in eyes with a central retinal artery occlusion or a branch retinal artery occlusion.

PurposeTo investigate the ocular neovascularization (ONV) rate in eyes with a branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) or a central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), and to study factors that may influence the ONV rate secondary to CRAO.MethodsThis was a retrospective case series of consecutive patients (286 total eyes: 83 CRAOs and 203 BRAOs) who were diagnosed with a retinal artery occlusion from 1998 to 2013 at the Retina Consultants of Alabama and University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA. Generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate the association between hypothesized risk factors and ONV development.ResultsTwelve (14.5%) of the 83 eyes with a CRAO developed ONV. Eleven of 12 eyes (91.7%) had iris neovascularization, ten of 12 eyes (83.3%) had neovascular glaucoma, and two of 12 eyes (16.7%) had neovascularization of the optic disc. The average time for ONV development secondary to CRAO was 30.7 days, ranging from the date of presentation to 137 days. Only two (<1.0%) of the 203 eyes with a BRAO developed iris neovascularization. Diabetes mellitus type 2 was a risk factor for ONV development following a CRAO with an adjusted odds ratio of 5.2 (95% confidence interval: 1.4–19.8) (P=0.02).ConclusionONV is an important complication of CRAO and is a less-frequent complication of BRAO. Patients with a CRAO, especially those with diabetes mellitus type 2, should be closely monitored for the first 6 months for ONV.

Retinal Neovascularization and Endogenous Fungal Endophthalmitis in Intravenous Drug Users

Intravenous heroin abuse in persons aged 12 or older has nearly doubled between the years of 2002 and 2012.1 Intravenous drug users (IVDU) are a high-risk group for developing endogenous fungal endophthalmitis (EFE), with Candida albicans being the most commonly identified causative organism.2 EFE is a potentially blinding disease in which the causative organism reaches the eye through hematogenous dissemination. The frequency of chorioretinitis and endophthalmitis in patients with documented fungemia ranges from 2–26% and 0–6%, respectively.3 Factors contributing to poor visual outcomes include macular involvement, subretinal and choroidal neovascularization, retinal detachment, and insufficient or delayed treatment.4,5 However, to our knowledge, this is the first case series characterizing retinal neovascularization as a potentially blinding complication of EFE in IVDU.

Topographical Distribution of Retinal and Optic Disc Neovascularization in Early Stages of Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

We analyzed the topography of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), and visualized the distribution of neovascularization of the optic disc (NVD) and elsewhere in the retina (NVE). The study included 174 eyes of 106 patients with early PDR. Data on the size and location of 391 NVE and 73 NVD were converted into a database of two-dimensional retinal and optic disc charts. The geometric centers of the neovascular lesions were plotted into corresponding areas of the charts, and the topographic distributions of the NVE and NVD were visualized by merging the charts and displaying the number of overlapping lesions on color-coded contour maps. A total of 141 (36%) NVE was located in the temporal and 250 (64%) in the nasal hemisphere (P < 0.0001). The distribution of the NVD in the temporal and nasal half of the optic disc was 46 (63%) and 27 (37%), respectively (P = 0.03). NVE in type 1 diabetes were located significantly farther from the fovea and optic disc, and were more numerous and larger than in type 2 diabetes. The number and diameter of the NVE were also significantly higher when the time from the last examination to the appearance of PDR exceeded 12 months. The majority of NVE lesions are located inferonasal to the optic disc and along the superior vascular arcades, while NVD have a predilection for the upper temporal disc rim. More extensive PDR is found in patients with type 1 diabetes and those with examination intervals longer than one year.

Descending doses of intravitreal bevacizumab for the regression of diabetic neovascularization

To report short-term regression of neovascularization after varying intravitreal doses of bevacizumab (Avastin®; Genentech, San Francisco, California, USA) in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Eighty eyes from 76 patients with active neovascularization of the disc (NVD) or elsewhere (NVE) caused by PDR were divided into four groups and treated with a single intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection of 1.25 mg, 600 μg, 300 μg or 150 μg, respectively. All patients underwent ophthalmoscopic examination and fluorescein angiography at baseline, 1 week, 1 month and 2 months later. No significant ocular or systemic adverse events were observed. In all patients with NVD or NVE, complete resolution of leakage was recorded within the first week or the first month of the injection. Even with the lowest dose (150 μg), regression of neovascularization appeared as early as the first week and lasted for over a month. Recurrence of fluorescein leakage was observed in all groups after the first month and did not correlate with the extent of neovascularization or IVB dose. Short-term results suggest that IVB given below the standard dosage (150–300 μg compared to 1.25 mg) can lead to the achievement of complete regression of diabetic retinal neovascularization within 30–45 days of injection.

Progression of Macular Ischemia Following Intravitreal Bevacizumab

A 37-year-old woman with bilateral obliterative retinal vasculitis and macular ischemia received intravitreal bevacizumab for rapidly progressive neovascularization of the optic disc and vitreous hemorrhage in the left eye. One week after treatment, she presented with central scotoma and fluorescein angiography revealed increased parafoveal capillary dropout and progressive macular ischemia in the treated eye.

Scoring of dual fluorescein and ICG inflammatory angiographic signs for the grading of posterior segment inflammation (dual fluorescein and ICG angiographic scoring system for uveitis)

To propose a semiquantitative dual fluorescein angiography (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) scoring system for uveitis that would assist in the follow-up of disease progression and monitoring response to treatment. The scoring system was based on the FA scoring systems, the standardized ICGA protocol, and schematic interpretation of ICGA findings in posterior uveitis that have been previously published. We assigned scores to the fluorescein and ICG angiographic signs that represent ongoing inflammatory process in the posterior segment. We rated each angiographic sign according to the impact it has on our appreciation of active intraocular inflammation. In order to permit direct comparison between FA and ICGA, we multiplied the total ICGA score by a coefficient of 2 to adjust to the total score of FA. A total maximum score of 40 was assigned to the FA signs, including optic disc hyperfluorescence, macular edema, retinal vascular staining and/or leakage, capillary leakage, retinal capillary nonperfusion, neovascularization of the optic disc, neovascularization elsewhere, pinpoint leaks, and retinal staining and/or subretinal pooling. A total maximum score of 20 was assigned to the ICGA signs, including early stromal vessel hyperfluorescence, choroidal vasculitis, dark dots or areas (excluding atrophy), and optic disc hyperfluorescence. The combined fluorescein and ICG angiographic scoring system proposed herein may help estimate the magnitude of retinal versus choroidal inflammation, monitor disease progression and response to treatment, and provide comparable data for clinical studies. The applicability of the proposed system needs to be tested in clinical settings, and intra- and interobserver variations need to be determined.

Neovascularization of the Optic Disc in Behçet's Disease

To investigate the mechanisms involved in the development of neovascularization of the optic disc (NVD) in Behçet's disease and to evaluate the effects of medical and laser treatments. This is a retrospective study of 26 consecutive Behçet's patients (38 eyes) with NVD who presented between 1990 and 2004 at our university hospital. Information on age at presentation, sex, disease duration, laterality of NVD, ocular findings, fluorescein angiographic findings, visual acuity, medical treatment, laser photocoagulation, surgical procedures, and the follow-up period was collected. Eyes with diffuse capillary leakage on fluorescein angiography were defined as having inflammation-induced NVD, and eyes with extensive retinal capillary nonperfusion were defined as having ischemia-induced NVD. Eighteen patients were male, and eight were female. Mean age at presentation was 25.4 +/- 4.9 years. Median disease duration was 5.5 months. Median follow-up was 24 months. Twelve patients had bilateral NVD; 14 had unilateral NVD. Inflammation-induced NVD was seen in 87% of the eyes, and ischemia-induced NVD in 13%. Initial treatment with high-dose corticosteroids combined with conventional immunosuppressive agents was effective in 45% of the eyes with inflammation-induced NVD. Retinal laser photocoagulation was effective in three of five eyes with ischemia-induced NVD. Treatment with interferon alpha-2a resulted in resolution of NVD in all seven patients who received this agent for inflammation- or ischemia-induced persistent NVD. Final visual acuity was less than 0.1 in 24% of the eyes. Inflammatory mechanisms seem to predominate in the pathogenesis of NVD in Behçet's disease. The results of this study suggest that the response to intensive anti-inflammatory and conventional immunosuppressive treatment is not satisfactory; retinal laser photocoagulation may be ineffective even in eyes with retinal ischemia, but interferon alpha-2a seems to be effective for the treatment of Behçet's patients with NVD.